Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Store Brand Formula. All thoughts and reviews are my own.

It's no secret that when you have kids, your life gets busy. And by adding more to the crew just adds to the chaos. While at times I may want to pull my hair out, I wouldn't trade my crazy mom life for anything. Since becoming a mom eight years ago, I have learned some tips that help keep life moving just a little bit smoother. It may not make life perfect, but it does help alleviate some stress and I hope these three mom hacks can be helpful to you too!

1. Plan Your Outfits for the Week

Now that all three of my kids go to school at least four out of the five days, we are hustling to get ready from the moment we wake up. On Sunday I will pull outfits out for each child for every day that they are in school. My son goes all five days so we pull five outfits for him, including socks and underwear, and set them in the designated drawer. The same thing goes my daughters for each day that they go to school. That way I can wake them up, they get their clothes from the drawer and get dressed and we aren't searching for socks seconds before the bus pulls up. This has also helped me ensure I am on my laundry game because if Cohen doesn't have clean pants, then I know it's time to get a load in the washer.

2. Breakfast and Snack Bin

My kids are creatures of nature and will typically eat the same breakfast every morning. I now buy breakfast items in bulk and throw them into the "Breakfast Bin" so I know exactly where to look for their breakfast each morning. This has also helped me push Cohen to be more independent because I can tell him to get his breakfast as soon as he gets dressed and he knows it's ready for him. I started doing the same thing with snacks and created a "Snack Bin" which has been especially helpful if I'm on a call for work or taking a kid to the potty or even if I'm in another room. I simply direct the kids to the snack bin and they know they can choose one of the snacks in there to enjoy for the time being.

3. Set Some Time Aside for You

While this may seem easier said than done, I can't stress how much this one tip has helped me maintain my sanity. Whether it's 10 minutes to eat a cookie alone in my closet, 30 minutes to go for a run outside or even hiring a babysitter one day a week for a couple of hours - when I took the time for myself, I felt as if I was a better person. Mentally I felt positive, I have a lot more patience and overall I feel like I am more present with my family. Being a mom is hard job and many times we put ourselves on the back burner. Pencil in some time for yourself because you know you deserve it.

It's clear that parenthood is a hard job and even with all the mom hacks, it can get overwhelming. But knowing you have a community by your side makes it just a little bit easier. I recently discovered Parents' NewsFEED, an online resource featuring lighthearted videos about the journey of being a parent. Here is one of my favorites:

I am not have any kids on formula anymore, but I remember the added stress I felt when it came to feeding my baby. After doing some research when I was pregnant with Lola, I learned about Store Brand Formula and the benefits it could provide my baby and our budget! Store Brand Formula is nutritionally comparable to nationally advertised
brands but costs up to 50% less. Infant formula is regulated by the FDA, which means that all
ingredients need to meet specific standards. That means that all formula
brands contain comparable essential nutrients to make sure baby stays
healthy and receives nutrients to grow. Check it out yourself! Plus you can download a free Store Brand Formula e-book on formula feeding.

This stage of life my family is in is hard. It's busy. It's chaotic. But when I step back and look at the bigger picture it is clear to me - mom life is the best ife.

Share with me!

What are some of your favorite mom hacks?

Friday, September 28, 2018

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Pedia-Lax®. All thoughts and reviews are my own.

Let's have an honest conversation today. Like, a real heart to heart - from one mom to another. I want to talk about something that you deal with on a daily basis. Something that is part of your daily routine that you no longer blink twice at the thought of it.

Today we are going to talk about all things poop.

See, I knew you wouldn't even flinch. Seriously though, nothing is worse than when your child can't poop. It's a pain you want to fix but one that a bandage and a kiss won't solve. Both of my girls have dealt with severe constipation. My youngest, however, seems to deal with this issue at least twice a month - if not more. While I'm not a medical professional, I do have a few tips that have been helpful for my family to prevent constipation as well as tips that help ease the pain when it hits home.

1. Up the Fiber Intake

Making sure your kiddo has enough fiber may help keep the constipation at bay. Both of my girls take a daily fiber supplement in the morning and we have found it makes a huge difference. I also stock up on the fiber bars that they both love which are perfect for snacks.

2. Limit Dairy

This is a hard one because my girls LOVE their milk, but I haven't had to cut it out of their diet completely. However I do limit the amount of yogurt, milk or cheese they consume each day. I find that the more they consume, the easier they get constipated so I am mindful about their dairy choices.

3. Pedia-Lax® Chewable Tablets

When constipation hits, it may be two or three days until Remy poops and clearly my poor girl is in pain. I started using Pedia-Lax® Chewable Tablets because they are formulated for kids ages 2-11, come in a tasty watermelon flavor and provide quick relief (within 30 minutes) and can last up to 6 hours. Plus they offer gentle relief without the painful cramping sometimes associated with laxatives. Pedia-Lax® is the only pediatric brand offering a full line of laxative products that are fast, safe and specifically made just for kids to help support digestive health and ease constipation. All Pedia-Lax® products are available in a variety of forms to meet a child’s specific needs, which helps ease my mind.

Constipation is no fun for your kiddo or for you! Taking steps to prevent it before it happens can make things easier on everyone. But when it does happen, it's reassuring to know that there are products out there specifically made for children.

Do you deal with constipation with your children? What do you do to prevent it from happening or ease the pain?

Saturday, September 22, 2018

This post is sponsored by Depend, Poise, Ensure, and Glucerna
but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Myparents are an important part of our family.
In fact, they actuallystayed with our
kids this summer for an extended weekend so my husbandand I could get away alone for the first time
in 10 years! But I’m notsure what my
kids would do without their Nana and Papa. They spoil themto no end and truly take being a grandparent
to that special level. Wealso talk to
them daily on the computer or phone and count down the daysuntil our next visit with one another. The
fact that my kids are theironly
grandchildren mean that they hold an even more special place intheir heart and make our times together even
more special.

Recently
we started talking about estate planning and the future. While its so important
as parents to plan for the things that you hope and pray never happen, but it
is equally imperative to make sure your family is taken care of if it does. So
the next question that was asked was, “Who will take care of us when we get
older and can need help?” It was an open conversation and one that I then had
with my own parents. What is their plan and how can I be involved? I want to be
their caregiver and will be prepared because it will happen sooner than later.

Putting a
plan into place is the first step of action. Thinking about schedules and
products to fulfill the plan are important. Sam’s Club has a Family Caregivingprogram that is a great resource for caretakers and families alike. This
program offers tips and a variety of products to help make the caregiving
process easier. From items such as lift chairs to products like Depend, Poise,
Ensure, and Glucerna I know my parents will be covered. Plus, with their discrete
shipping options and club pick-up, Sam’s Club gives me the peace of mind to
know that I can find what I need, when I need it, how I need it as I create our
plan for the future. I can easily be prepared and start stocking up on items
that will be essential for my caregiving, and keep them stored so I am ready.

I’m a
planner, probably because that’s the teacher in me, and I think its important
to plan for the future and whatever life throws at you. I can’t thank my
parents enough for all they have given me and my family and to be chosen as
their caregivers is an honor I will gladly take. While the road ahead may not
be easy, its comforting to know that I have resources and a business that will
support me through my newest journey.

Monday, August 6, 2018

Disclosure: The product, information, and gift card have been provided by A&W
so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and
information about A&W Root Beer. The opinions expressed in this
post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of A&W.

Oh summer, you were so good to us. We spent our mornings sleeping in, our afternoons swimming at the community pool and our evenings jumping on the trampoline or taking family bike rides. While every day was not butterflies and roses, the laughter and good times that filled our hearts outweighed the siblings fights. I'm not sure I could pick out my favorite thing from this summer because there were so many great memories. But with that being said, I knew I couldn't let it end without a special treat - especially since our last day of summer vacation ends on National Root Beer Float Day! (August 6th)

Vanilla ice cream is always a freezer staple in our household. Cohen recently discovered A&W root beer during a family dinner after a baseball game. So now both ice cream AND A&W root beer are weekly items that are added to the grocery list. After our last summer dinner, I decided it was time to cheers to one of the best summers ever because A&W Root Beer helps create the perfect timeless family night treat: an A&W Root Beer Float!

A&W Root Beer Float

Ingredients:
--Vanilla Ice Cream
--A&W Root Beer

Directions:
1. Scoop 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream into a mug or cup. I usually make sure the ice cream reaches the stop of the cup. :)

2. Slowly pour the A&W Root Beer over the ice cream until it starts to fizz and foam to the very top of the cup.

3. Top with a little bit more root beer as needed, throw in a straw and sip away!

To check out more “float how-tos” and recipe inspiration visit, www.rootbeer.com.

Thank you, summer for allowing my family to have to fun and create memories together. Even during those moments when I wanted to pull my hair out, you quickly redeemed yourself by showing us just how much we love those little moments that we make together.

Cheers to National Root Beer Day!

A&W Root Beer has a long history of creating family memories. The unique, creamy taste of A&W Root Beer is a simple treat that
creates fun, care-free experiences for families and can help make any
moment special. For more information, visit their website and check A&W out on Instagram too!

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Disclosure: “The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have
been provided by Entenmann’s® so that I could try the product and share
my thoughts and information
about Entenmann’s®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and
do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s®.”

Oh sweet summertime - there is so much to love about you! And I'll be the first to admit that my life with three stinkers is FAR from perfect. But if there is one thing I love the most about summer it's the memories we make together that my kids always remember.

It all started over two years ago when I was home on maternity leave with my youngest. I needed any reason possible to get out of the house for a hot minute and caffeinate my mind, heart and soul from the severe lack of sleep. Cohen was barely five at the time and I remember him waking up one morning, crawling into bed with me and asking me, "Is it Donut Friday?" From that day on every Friday was proclaimed Donut Friday and we have strongly continued this tradition - especially throughout the summer!

Last week's Donut Friday was interrupted by a work meeting and my insane idea of potty training Remy. But there was no way I was going to let a Donut Friday tradition slide past us! On my way home from the meeting, I stopped by the store to buy floor cleaning supplies, chocolate milk and none other than our favorite Entenmann’s® donuts. There was no way I going to break this tradition!

Speaking of our favorite donut brand, from now until June 30th, Entenmann’s® is searching for the country’s biggest donut devotee by
accepting entries for its sweetest honorary title ever: Chief Donut
Officer. I mean, I could totally live up to that title! Donut fans can enter the Entenmann’s® Chief Donut Officer Contest at
www.chiefdonutofficer.com for your chance to win this honorary title and some exciting prizes, including $5,000 and a year’s supply of donuts. Yes, I said YEAR'S SUPPLY OF DONUTS.

Entering is easy:

1. Fans will simply share their love for Entenmann’s® donuts and their ideas for product innovation.

2. Each response will be judged based on passion, creativity and
originality.

3. Five finalists will be selected and invited to submit
video testimonials about why they deserve to be named Chief Donut
Officer.

4. Then, fans across the country will have the
opportunity to vote for their favorite candidate!

The grand prize winner will be announced on August 7, but all finalists will reap some sweet rewards – all four runners-up will receive $1,000 and free donuts for a year.

Just another reason we need to ensure that we are celebrating Donut Friday every week this summer!

Oh summertime, you surely are welcome to stay as long as you please. I have no problems making these little memories with my family...even if they do drive me a little batty occasionally.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Disclosure: The
coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been
provided by Entenmann’s® Little Bites® so that I could try the product
and share my thoughts and information
about Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post
are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s® Little
Bites®.

Motherhood. Boy, is it a
hard job. The days are long, the sleep is nonexistent and your chore
list grows each day and never stops. But the hugs, the smiles, the small
moments that I share with each of my children are the very reasons as
to why I wanted to become a mom in the first place. Every year when
Mother's Day rolls around, there are three things that I have on my
list: sleeping in, an hour of alone time and then an afternoon with just
plain, fun family time. I don't need gifts and I really don't want
flowers. I just want some time for me but most importantly time with the
people that allowed this holiday to become possible for me.

After
I spend some time for myself on Mother's Day, I look forward to our
family afternoon together. I love these small moments with my family. It
doesn't have to be big and fancy, just time together. Last year we
started a picnic tradition together and it was a blast! We packed a
bunch of snacks and headed to the park for the afternoon. Our time was
casual but filled my heart. A year later, my kids are still talking
about it too. So with Mother's Day a week away, we have already started
planning for our family afternoon adventure for this year!

First
on our to-do list is snacks - I mean, of course it is, right? So I'll
make sure I have a variety of foods that are easy to pack and not a lot
of hassle. My kids are huge fans of Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Strawberry Yogurt Muffins. These muffins are made with real strawberries and come in handy pouches that are perfect for snacking on-the-go. Plus,with
less than 200 calories per pouch, Little Bites® Strawberry Yogurt
Muffins are a good source of calcium and vitamin D, and contain no high
fructose corn syrup or trans-fat. Now that's a snack I can feel good
about for my family! I love how easy I can throw them into my bag for
our family adventure and know my kids will be happy snacking too.

As
cliche as it sounds, the years really do go by fast. Soon my kids will
be too cool for family time and our schedules will get even busier
making it hard to spend time together. These small memories together is
what fills my heart and reminds me why I love being a mom to these
crazy, lovable kiddos. It's a hard job but I wouldn't trade it for
anything else!

About Entenmann’s® Little Bites®

Entenmann’s®
Little Bites® is thanking moms for all that they do for everyone by
giving away five $100 spa gift cards! That's right, Moms! Take some time
for YOU! Just simply log on to https://www.littlebites.com/mothersday to enter for a chance to win the special treat!

Be
sure to join the NEW Little Bites® rewards program! When you buy 10
five-count boxes of Little Bites® snacks, you'll get 1 FREE! Just send
in your receipts by text message, email or website. To get started, send
a text message with the keyword “Little Bites” to 811-811, email to redeem@Rewards.LittleBites.com or visit http://rewards.littlebites.com.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Disclosure: The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have
been provided by Entenmann’s Little Bites®
so that I could try the product and share information about the
Entenmann's Little Bites ® Pouch Recycling Program with TerraCycle® and
my thoughts and information about Entenmann’s Little Bites®. The
opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect
the opinions of Entenmann’s Little Bites®.

Last week Indiana got hit with a heat wave - I'm talking 70 degrees in February! If you are from the Midwest then you understand the significance of the first signs of spring. I made sure to leave school as soon as possible to get the kids so we could enjoy an afternoon and evening outside together. The neighborhood was hopping and everyone was out and about, taking in the sights and smells of the spring air. Cohen and a couple of his buddies were in the field next to our house hitting baseballs when he ran over to me with a wrapper and paper cup in his hand. They asked me for a plastic bag to collect the trash because they were sad about all the litter they were finding on the field. I admired their willingness to stop their game to clean up trash that had spent the winter under inches of snow. One small step can go a long way!

A few days later when the heatwave was long gone and the rain and snow made an appearance again, I braved the grocery store with all three kids alone to get meals and snacks for the upcoming week. Each kid happily chose their favorite foods, including their box of Entenmann's Little Bites ® for after school snacks. Entenmann’s
Little Bites® are the perfect pre-portioned pouches of delicious baked
snacks and are just right for little hands and can go easily into the diaper bag, purse or even a lunch box. With flavors like Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Muffin, Little Bites® are baked soft and moist, made with
real ingredients, and never contain any high fructose corn syrup. Convenience for mom and tasty snacks for the kids - it's a perfect combination! My life is busy enough, so if there are any ways I can make things easier, it's a win for me!

When we got home later that evening, the kids and I were having a conversation about the upcoming Earth Day celebration at their school. Cohen reminded me of how his friends picked up trash with him last week and we talked about how their kind gesture was a great way to help clean our community. We then talked about where the trash goes when it is collected each week and the difference between our trash bin and recycling bin. Both of my kids were amazed to find out that sometimes the items we recycle are used to make other products that can be used in again. I showed them the recycling symbol on a few things we had in the pantry and refrigerator, including on the box and packaging of their Entenmann’s
Little Bites® . Together we sorted our recyclables and I showed them which container to put them in. Now, when I ask them to put it in the recycling bin, they know what I'm talking about!

And speaking of recycling, Entenmann’s
Little Bites® has teamed up with TerraCycle®, an international recycling company, that turns waste into
plastic to be used for products such as park benches, recycling
bins and playgrounds. Through the free recycling program, you can collect waste, like
Entenmann’s Little Bites® pouches, and ship to TerraCycle® for
processing using a pre-paid shipping label. So, from now through April 30, 2018,
TerraCycle® and Entenmann’s Little Bites® want to reward you for making
the pledge to make eco-friendly choices a habit. If you collect
Entenmann’s Little Bites® pouches on behalf of a K-12 school, you could
be placed
in the running to win a Classroom Party!

It’s easy to participate - make
the pledge, send in the waste, and earn more rewards!Here's how it works:

Pledge: your pledge qualifies you for the contest - take it with your family and get entered to win!

Second Shipment: Send in your second shipment of empty pouches and earn 1,000 bonus points

TerraCycle Sweepstakes: K-12 schools-only have the chance to win a
Classroom Party as long as they pledge. The classroom party will
include five (5) cases of Entenmann’s® Little Bites® and 100 upcycled
pencil cases. Check out more details here!

The Entenmann's Little Bites ® Pouch Recycling Program is open to any
individual, school or organization interested in reducing local landfill
waste. To learn more about the Entenmann's Little Bites ® Pouch
Recycling Program here.

Share with me: How do you encourage your kids to recycle or take care of the Earth?

Win It!

One lucky winner will win a $25 Virtual Visa Gift Card and three coupons for Entenmann’s Little Bites® -- Enter the Rafflecopter below!

Monday, January 8, 2018

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by CeraVe®. All thoughts and reviews are my
own.

Winter has barely started and man, I am itching for the sun and warm weather already.

Well, literally I am itching actually.

You
see, that's another problem with the winter season - my skin gets so
dry and itchy, I can't even handle it. This year I decided to tackle the
problem head on and find a solution that would work. And considering today is Winter Skin Relief Day, I thought it would only be appropriate to share with you my winter skincare routine that I use to help tackle this winter skin issue.So what is Winter Skin Relief Day anyway? Winter Skin Relief Day is celebrated on January 8th and brings awareness to all
the extra attention your winter skin needs. We know the temperatures are dropping outside - I mean, it was a balmy -11 yesterday here in Indy. That means we are rising those thermostats inside, which saps the amount of moisture in the
air, and unfortunately, our skin is first to notice. As winter quickly kicks into high gear,
Winter Skin Relief Day reminds us of all the ways we can protect our
skin under the harshest elements.One of my least favorite parts of winter are dry skin. I hate washing my face in the morning or at night and basically feelinglike my face is crisping off layer by layer. I'd say my skin type is normal to dry but no matter what I used in the past, my face never felt hydrated enough. I recently started using CeraVe® Skincare products and to be honest - I'm really hooked. The products were developed by
dermatologists and is the first and only brand to offer a complete
line of advanced skincare products that contain an exclusive combination
of ceramides 1, 3 and 6-11.

Say what? What in the world are ceramides?

The
glue that holds skin cells together, ceramides keep moisture in and
irritants out while restoring your natural skin. CeraVe® products use patented
MVE technology that releases ingredients slowly over 24 hours,
allowing them to absorb into the skin to hydrate and nourish, as well as
restore and lock in moisture to protect your skin. My daily skincare routine is on point for my skin and I have yet to feel like a piece of sandpaper.I thought it may be helpful to share with you what my skincare routine has been lately because if you are like me, you aren't a huge fan of the crunchy, crispy skin feeling either.My Daily Skincare RoutineMorning - One of the first things I do in the morning is wash my face. Now I am using CeraVe® Hydrating Facial Cleanser which contains hyaluronic acid to help retain skin’s natural moisture while removing dirt, oil and makeup all while cleansing, hydrating, restoring and protecting my skin. Once my face is dry, I use two pumps of CeraVe®Skin Renewing Day Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. This cream is designed to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles because unfortunately I was not nice to my skin when I was younger. I love that it is light and not too heavy and is a perfect moisturizer for my face before applying my makeup for the day.Nighttime - I have consistently washed my face every night since I can't even remember when. There is something about washing away a long day before crawling into bed for the night. After using my CeraVe® Hydrating Facial Cleanse, I apply CeraVe®Skin Renewing Night Cream to my face. I simply dot the cream around my eyes, frown lines and forehead and then blend it all together. This cream also contains hyaluronic acid, ultimately helping reduce the look of tired skin and supporting skin elasticity plus is a great moisturizer.

But it's not only my face that gets hit hard during the winter, my hands also are a hot mess. Being a teacher and mom of three littles, I am CONSTANTLY washing my hands. I mean, hello Flu Season. So my hands are super dry and rough. CeraVe® Healing Ointment (NationalEczemaAssociationSeal of
Acceptance™) is an essential product for my winter skincare regime. provides your skin
with the intense, long-lasting moisturization it craves during the
winter time. This oitment is combined with a non-greasy gentle formula that soothes, temporarily protects and helps to relieve dry, chapped
and chafed skin caused by the colder air. I can throw the tube into my purse for on the go and keep the jar right in my bathroom to use after washing my hands.

My sweet Remy's bum has been red and dry lately too! I mean think about it - the poor kid is sleeping in a cold, wet diaper for 12+ hours a night in these frigid temperatures outside! So for part of our nighttime routine, I coat her bummy with CeraVe®
BabyHealing Ointment before putting on her diaper because ithelps treat and prevent diaper rash by
helping to keep wetness out, while soothing and temporarily protecting
and relieving chapped and cracked skin.

It's only January and I'm over this weather. Funny thing is next week the temperatures are supposed to be back into the forties but then drop right back down to the low twenties. I mean seriously Indiana weather, make up your mind.

Share with me!What are your winter skincare tips? How do you protect your skin from the harsh elements of the winter season?

Get more information on CeraVe® and learn more about their products here!

I'm Kait, the mom to three of the cutest kids you have ever seen, Cohen, Lola and Remy. I love all things pink, iced coffee and a good run outside. When I grow up I want to be Kate Middleton or on a season of The Real Housewives. And if that doesn't work out, I'm okay playing mom to my littles in my suburban Indiana home.